-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The killing of 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins has been held up as a new low in Chicago 's struggle to keep senseless death off its streets , as a rallying cry to do something about gun violence and as proof that no one -- even the most innocent among us -- is safe .

On Tuesday , it was also about Jonylah .

Hundreds braved the cold on the city 's South Side , standing in a line that wrapped around the New Beginnings Church as they waited to pay their respects . Some people , many of whom had never met Jonylah or her family , broke down in tears when her hearse passed by .

Inside the church , more tears flowed .

Mourners walked past the infant 's open casket , as pictures flashed behind on a screen behind -- an ultrasound , from baby showers , of her as a newborn . To the side sat stuffed animals , including one large pink teddy bear , and a drawing of Jonylah with the words , `` God 's angel . ''

Chicago baby shot while dad changes diaper

`` It 's just very , very sad , '' said Victor Brunner , a friend of the family . `` I just wish we could do something about it . ''

Beyond remembering the little girl , doing something in the wake of her violent death was a prevailing theme at the funeral .

Some of that message involved taking personal responsibility ; some of it involved coming together , as a community , to reject gun violence .

Brunner said progress might start with being more willing to `` snitch '' to police about those behind shootings that have ravaged his city in recent months . The church 's pastor , Corey Brooks , told mourners this incident should show people they must always be prepared for `` tragedy '' to come to their doorstep .

Jeneen Thomas , an activist who did not know Jonylah 's family but felt compelled to come out Tuesday , says she hoped the pointless killing of a baby girl , as she sat on her father 's lap , wakes people up .

She hopes that there wo n't be more parents like Jonylah 's , faced with the horrible task of burying their child .

`` We sort of left our children behind and to fend for themselves , '' Thomas said . `` And it 's time for us to take our children back . ''

Some 506 people were killed in Chicago last year , according to local crime statistics , up from 433 in 2011 . The torrid pace continued into 2013 , with 43 homicides in January , and after a drop in February , they 've picked up once again .

Chicago 's record murder rate

Jonylah became part of those grisly statistics when one bullet struck her March 11 , not several as initially reported , as she sat with her father in a vehicle on the South Side .

That bullet damaged several parts of her small body , and she died the next day .

Her father , Jonathan Watkins -- believed to be the target of the shooting , according to police -- was also hit . Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said Watkins has been cooperating with authorities , adding that police have surveillance footage of a van in which the gunman sped away after the shooting .

Despite his injuries , Watkins attended his daughter 's funeral . Mourners also saw images of him holding his baby girl .

Brooks , the church 's pastor , said he hopes Tuesday 's outpouring of support -- and the positive steps he hopes Chicagoans will take in their own lives , and those of their neighbors , to prevent such violence -- will show the world their suffering and their dedication to stand behind one another .

`` The world thinks that there 's nothing but animals that live on the South Side , but we 've proved to them today that we are real people ... with real experiences , '' he said . `` And we hurt just like they hurt . ''

CNN 's George Howell reported from Chicago , and Greg Botelho wrote this story from Atlanta . CNN 's Katherine Wojtecki and Shawn Nottingham contributed to this report .

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NEW : Those at young Jonylah Watkins ' funeral see ultrasound and newborn photos

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NEW : A family friend says , `` I just wish we could do something about it ''

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NEW : A pastor says people should n't view South Side residents as `` animals ''

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6-month-old Jonylah was hit by a single bullet ; police say the intended victim was her dad